What a year it has been for us! Sitting on the couch at 12:06am, watching Sydney Harbour ablaze with fireworks. They sure know how to launch them off the bridge! MBW and MBD are upstairs in bed. That’s OK. Sitting here watching this glorious display I can’t help feeling pleased and proud of this family for having embraced 13 months of a new country and culture. One wonderful year of health, happiness, and adventure under our belts! Stay tuned gang, we’re gonna do it all over again in 2013!

Here are some of my pictures direct from “Oprah’s seat” on the helicopter! Enjoy!

The famed Heart Reef – so small yet so amazing!

Whitehaven Beach – one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Purest white sand there is.

This is Hardy Reef. Long ago a glacier flowed through and dug this 200 feet deep trench. Probably 10-15 feet deep on either side.

Now THIS is the way to travel! This is the helicopter that Oprah flew in to take her tour. And you know who had to sit in Oprah’s seat, don’t you? Oh yes she did!

And the reef was AWESOME by air!

Sun is out! Christmas is here! Massive snorkeling tomorrow, but today we celebrate with a Christmas luncheon at the resort.

Had some unexpected visitors today; they walked right up to our front porch so we shared some Christmas crackers with them! Ho ho ho!

This has been an odd Christmas for the Smiths and one I believe Madelyne will not want to repeat. It’s her first Christmas “as an adult,” we opened presents on Thursday before we left and we’re not in our home. Live and learn but what a GREAT PLACE to learn!!!! This is my early morning Christmas shot to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from the Long Island Resort on Happy Bay in the Whitsundays, Queensland Australia!

Strange one this year. Up in Queensland, far from the Sydney home and even farther from the USA. Weak attempts at Christmas carols in the restaurant made the whole thing surreal. Christmas Eve should be all about a snap in the air (with or without snow). Should still be bowl or pro games on TV. Should be a tree here with presents underneath. The girls & I agree: No spending Christmas in a hotel or resort again. Rumor is that Santa will stop by with stockings for the girls tonight. He planned ahead, it would seem!

Everyday at 4:45PM, the resort feeds the Rainbow Lorikeets and it is definitely a feeding frenzy!

And one forgot his table manners and one is telling me, “Don’t eyeball me girl!”

A little rain isn’t going to ruin our day!